> About Oblates
PARTNERS IN MISSION IN BEIJING
In the begging of Sepetember 2010 third group of participants in Partners in Mission Program arrived in Beijing. They will work with China Little Flower taking care of handicapped children as well as teaching English in the local primary school.
(From left) Fances Ryan, Wendy Williams and Luisa Amati
They want to share with us why they are in Beijing and why they want to make a difference, no matter how small, to another persons life.
My name is Fran,
I come from Australia. I live in a town on the South Coast of New South Wales, 300 km from Sydney called Ulladulla, which is near the Ocean. Kangaroos and Koala Bears live in the bush beside my Home.
I come from a Family of Seven Children I was married to my Husband Peter for 39 years he passed away 5years ago. We had three children. And now eleven grandchildren.
I was a teacher for many years and enjoyed it immensely. I am looking forward to helping the children at our school to speak English. Most of all I would like this to be a happy experience for the children and they have good memories of the Australian teachers, who came to their school.
Frances Ryan
In 2008 a very good friend of mine decided to go to East Timor to prepare students for their final exams through the Catholic University.
A learning weekend was planned by P.A.LM.S. There she encountered Trudy Maiden who’s work was with China Little Flower.
I was interested to learn more about the Mission. I telephoned the Oblates in Melbourne and put my name down, however I heard no more until late 2009. I now had a direction in my life that I had being searching for since my, husband Peter’s passing. My Family and Friends have being very supportive and happy for me . They in turn are constantly in thoughts and prayers.
Hi my name is Wendy,
I am from the Oblate Parish of Sefton, in N.S.W. Where my husband and I help with the counting through the year.
Our Children attended the Parish School; this was my first encounter with the Oblate Community a very pleasant and enjoyable one over the years.
I have at times over the years done a little voluntary work and for many years have thought to put my nursing skills for a better cause.
This has not being possible until this year.
It was approximately 2 years ago when David Maiden visited the Parish to give a talk on China Little Flower Project it felt right and by the end of the talk I knew I wanted to be part of it. This was what God had in mind for me.
The forms filled in fast then the waiting .Lesley called end of last year and the process begin. The Melbourne encounter weekend this year confirmed I had made the right decision.
Wendy Williams
This was the beginning of a new journey in a renewal of my faith in Christ.
I have being working as a Nurse for over 40 years. I have lived in Sydney since 1972
I have being married to my husband Jeffrey for 30years. He is very kind to me and does not mind my travels, especially for my visit to Beijing. We have four Children 3 girls and 1 boy. Amanda is 30 years and is working in Canada. Jessica 26 years and is a photographer and her twin sister Jade is a Vet. Nurse. Mark 21 is training to be an electrician.
Where I can be of some help in the orphanage and give the hard workers a little break. Also help the students to learn English. In turn have a better understanding of the Chinese Culture and through my actions spread the word of God and my Faith.
My name is Luisa,
There is no greater gift you can give to someone than the gift of your time and love.
I’m the youngest of three girls, born to Italian parents. My parents migrated from Abruzzo, Italy in 1968 and moved to Sunshine, Melbourne. My family has been attending Sunday mass at Our Lady’s, Sunshine for over 35 years. I have been actively involved with the parish community and St.Vincent de Paul since 1998.
Luisa Amati
After experiencing a personally challenging year in 2009, I could not help but feel a little lost and despondent about life. What was my purpose in Life and how do set about finding the answer?
The question sat with me for a long while as I continued to live and work through life. The answer came to me through Father Fini OMI during a Sunday morning mass. Father Fini had just returned from Beijing, China where he had spent some time with the China Little Flower orphanage. He spoke of his wonderful experience, gratitude and more importantly the great need to assist the orphaned children of China. I knew for the first time in a long while what my calling was to be.
I wrote a list of what I need to do to make this happen. And my list was long…..However when you determine your purpose and understand your place in life even if it is for the shortest amount of time, then you will make it happen.
I quit my job, rented out my house, packed my bags and headed over to the other side of the world.
After a week of living in China, Wendy, Fran and I headed over to the China Little Flower orphanage. I was filled trepidation. How was I going to feel, what was I going to see and what the heck could I offer these abandoned little children?
As we entered the orphanage the one thing I noticed was the calmness of the place. I was excepting to see nurses and children running around, disorganized chaos and noise. What I soon become a part of was a wonderful environment of calmness and love.
Each child has their own little story of how they got to be orphaned but unfortunately these stories will never be told. The children have no past, no name, no date of birth and no understanding of exactly what disability or illness they have or how they came to be. They will never know their parents or siblings, their background or heritage. I take my hat off to all the staff at the orphanage they are doing an excellent job and have a strong spirit and faith.
It’s easy to fall in love with these children and any doubt I may have had was soon banished as soon as I saw their cute little face’s. Sadness filled my heart knowing that these children may never have known love and happiness had it not been for China Little Flower. Smiles filled their little faces when they felt our giving and love.
